20L Concrete Sealer - Invisible Breathable Concrete Sealer (Silicone)

Intro

• Penetrating silane sealer for concrete. 40% active silane in an aromatic-free carrier.
• Reacts inside the pore. No film, no gloss, no colour change.
• Solvent carried, low odour. Not a Dangerous Good under the ADG Code. Combustible liquid, keep away from heat and ignition sources.
• 40% active is the concentration transport authorities specify for bridge decks and car parks. Most retail concrete sealers run 5 to 20%.

Coverage

• Dense trowelled or power floated concrete: 6 to 10 m² per litre
• Standard broom finished concrete: 5 to 8 m² per litre
• Porous, exposed aggregate or weathered concrete: 3 to 5 m² per litre

Coverage varies with finish and porosity. Measure your own rate on a test area before ordering for the full job.

Intended Use

• Reducing rainwater and surface water absorption
• Reducing water driven staining and dirt pickup
• Reducing chloride and salt ingress into the surface
• Keeping the slab drier between rain, so moss and algae have less to establish in
• Maintaining vapour permeability of the concrete

Suitable for new and existing concrete above ground where the natural appearance must be kept.

Suitable Substrates

• Driveways, paths and patios
• Garage and workshop floors
• Slabs, steps and ramps
• Precast and tilt-up panels
• Render, bagged finishes and cement sheet
• Concrete blockwork

Concrete is where silane works best. Cured concrete holds free lime, which catalyses the reaction. The bond forms faster and more completely than on clay brick or stone.

Not suitable for:

• Below ground or tanking work. This is not a waterproofing membrane and does not hold back hydrostatic pressure.
• Painted, coated or previously sealed concrete. Strip it first.
• Concrete with an active moisture source underneath, or a history of salt staining or efflorescence. Fix the source first.
• Polished concrete where a densified or coated finish is already in place.
• Limestone, travertine and marble. These are calcareous and contain no silica for the silane to bond to.

Functional Characteristics

• Penetrating, non film forming treatment
• Chemically bonds to the pore walls of the concrete
• Repels liquid water and reduces capillary uptake
• Allows water vapour to escape
• Keeps the natural colour and texture of the slab
• No surface film to peel, cloud, blister, yellow or lift

What it does not do

1. No wet look, no gloss, no colour enhancement. The concrete looks the same afterwards.
2. No oil, grease or tyre mark resistance. Silane repels water only. Oil will still stain a driveway or garage floor.
3. Does not bridge or fill cracks. Repair cracks first.
4. Not a curing compound. New concrete still needs curing.
5. Does not stop water rising from below.
6. Does not harden or densify the surface. That is a silicate densifier, a different product.

Application

Low pressure sprayer, brush or roller.

1. Repair first. Fill cracks and allow repairs to cure before sealing.
2. Clean thoroughly. Remove dirt, moss, oil, curing compound, form release residue, efflorescence and any existing sealer. Allow to dry completely.
3. Water bead test. Splash water on the surface. If it soaks in, the concrete is ready. If it beads, there is something on it and it has to come off first.
4. Mask glass, glazed tile, powder coated aluminium, painted surfaces and anything you do not want treated. Silane bonds permanently to glass. Wet down plants before and after.
5. Apply evenly and liberally until the surface stops taking it in. On vertical work go bottom to top and keep the edge wet.
6. Dense trowelled surfaces take less. Do not leave puddles. Spread any pooling out with a broom before it dries.
7. A second pass is rarely needed on dense concrete. On porous or exposed aggregate, apply wet on wet within 15 minutes.

Conditions

• Substrate dry. Minimum 28 days cure on new concrete.
• Apply between 5°C and 30°C. Not in direct sun on a hot slab.
• No rain forecast for 6 hours.
• Water repellent within 4 to 6 hours.
• Foot traffic after 4 to 6 hours. Vehicle traffic after 24 hours. Full cure 5 to 7 days.

Coverage and cure times are guidance. Performance depends on substrate condition and correct application.